How horrible. Not that the animal control folks have the time/resources/etc., but can't they trace the owners by the craigslist ad? Seems like it would be pretty simple to do. Yes, they could have set up a fake account, but that is pretty shady...not even a contact and they expect someone else to pay the bills. GRRRR They shouldn't have other animals. Period. They deserve to pay for what they've done to this dog, and probably the others on their property. Anyway.I'm glad that you are showing him some love and trying to make him comfortable. I have to agree that I don't see how he could be pain-free. He is certainly better off with you than he was. What a tough position to be in.

I know I haven't been on a lot, I just haven't had much to say, til now. I think I'm qualified enough to respond this time. Despite what the vets and everyone else says, that dog is in pain. I'm sure the dog has days that are better than others, but he's still in some amount of pain every single day. I know dogs aren't the same as humans, except in this case. Just think how you feel when you sit, stand, kneel or squat for a long period of time, it hurts, but you feel so much better when you can stretch out or relax. This dog will never be able to do that. Just like the dog, I can't straighten my legs and there is a constant level of pain that won't go away. I tend to look happy most of the time because I've gotten used to the pain, but it still hurts. There are no amount drugs that can get rid of the pain, the drugs may make him not care about the pain, but it's still there. I really think the dog should be given a couple of good days of spoiling, then be put out of his misery before someone get too attached to him.

Christine, despite what anyone says, you will know the right thing to do. It will come to you and if it's already come to you, then nothing anyone here says will matter.

He just broke my heart into a million tiny pieces. I'm just relieved and happy that he's finally experiencing what he always should have been his whole life. Love. Heart bursting, unconditional, straight from the soul, beautiful love.

Who ever did that too him is pure evil... How awful! people can be so disgusting!!!!

I'm so glad he is safe. Your are truly an angel!

HUGS for you both!

Patch O' Pits Pursuit-O-Perfection

Run Hard at the Rainbow Bridge My Angel Sock-M! I Love You Baby Girl! Now that your Mom Starlit is up there too, please help her learn the ropes, love and keep her company until I can see you both again. Starlit I love you!http://i14.tinypic.com/2a8q345.jpg

Like I said... I was prepared to go back to the office, bring some cheeseburgers, and "do the right thing" - until my vet said what she said. I am not an expert, and I can't interpret x-rays or bloodwork... she's the one who knows all those things, or is supposed to...

And of course I don't want to be one of thoses asses who go "above and beyond", no matter what the consequences may be, just for the sake of *saving* a dog/animal at all costs.

I didn't know that I was in pain for the first 20 years because I had never not been.

THAT makes a lot of sense to me, in hindsight, in a sad sort of way.I am not a cruel person, and I would never knowingly hurt an animal or prolong suffering on purpose.I am also not offended by any of the opinions posted... sometimes things need to be said and/or pointed out by someone who isn't right in the midst of all the emotional stuff that comes w/a situation like this.

I am going to let this boy have a few *happy days* here so he can experience a little bit of human kindness, even if that comes across as pure selfishness on my part.But, in the end, I will do what's best for him... since that was my intention in the first place.

Christine you are a wonderful woman and I commend you extremely for even helping Loco at all. Even if he is only with you for a very short time, he will go seeing the love that humans can, and should give. I can't think of anyone better for him to be with than you.

I can hardly even look at those pictures, and even cried just reading the post about him not being in pain and getting to go home. But I am envious that you are able to enrich yours, and his lives even just for a short time. I can't wait for the day that I can really help dogs.

I am in pain every day of my life, but I wouldn't trade that for the happiest moments in my life. I feel like he will let you know if it is time for him to go. You will know what the right thing to do is.

~Brittany, Degan and Harlow's mom

"It is true that Pit Bulls grab and hold on. But what they most often grab and refuse to let go of is your heart, not your arm."

amazincc wrote:I am not a cruel person, and I would never knowingly hurt an animal or prolong suffering on purpose.I am also not offended by any of the opinions posted... sometimes things need to be said and/or pointed out by someone who isn't right in the midst of all the emotional stuff that comes w/a situation like this.

I don't think you are cruel at all. I think you are very loving and giving. And no one thinks you would prolong any suffering on purpose. Your vet is of one opinion, some people here - myself included - have a different one, however you are the only one here that is living with that little monkey.

I am going to let this boy have a few *happy days* here so he can experience a little bit of human kindness, even if that comes across as pure selfishness on my part.But, in the end, I will do what's best for him... since that was my intention in the first place.

He will have a fantastic time at your house. He's lived a horrible life in pain, now he'll have a lot of fun. Will he still be in pain? In my opinion, yes, but he'll have fun and you know something, after the last two years of his life, he deserves to have a good time for a while. You will determine how long that "while" is. A few days, a few weeks... whatever is best for him.

I bet he didn't know what to do with himself when you handed him that bully stick.

Michelle

Inside me is a thin woman trying to get out. I usually shut the bitch up with a martini.

Growth plates are the reason that most broken bones on puppies require fancy orthopedic surgeries and can't simply be splinted, because - I think, anyway- the bones kind of grow at different rates so it's very easy for them to have difficulty healing or heal at odd angles. Thats the jist of it anyway I think...

I can only please one person per day. Today is not your day, tomorrow doesn't look good either.
_______________________________________
"You didn't know of the magical powers of the break stick? It's up there with genies and Harry Potter as far as magic levels go." SisMorphine 01/07/07

Growth plates are the reason that most broken bones on puppies require fancy orthopedic surgeries and can't simply be splinted, because - I think, anyway- the bones kind of grow at different rates so it's very easy for them to have difficulty healing or heal at odd angles. Thats the jist of it anyway I think...

Yup, whenever I see a kid with a break I know to tell the nurse to call ortho consult because of this.

I can only please one person per day. Today is not your day, tomorrow doesn't look good either.
_______________________________________
"You didn't know of the magical powers of the break stick? It's up there with genies and Harry Potter as far as magic levels go." SisMorphine 01/07/07

So... first night went VERY well, better than even I expected. Loco (he really DOES need a better name - any suggestions?) settled right in, and the boys were curious at most but showed no hostility... Faust actually slept right next to Locos crate all night long.I have not let them interact face-to-face w/out barriers in place, just to keep stress levels at a minimum, and to be safe. So far, so good.I crated the boys while Loco had some "house/yard time", and having the yard fenced off into two seperate places is enormously helpful to keep everyone safely contained and apart. Who knew???

Anyway... my vet called first thing this morning to ask how things went, and we - again - discussed the pain issue. She is still adamant that Loco is not showing any of the typical symptoms of a dog in pain.She asked me if it would be alright to show his x-rays and all her findings to a neuro specialist friend of hers, and she's also sending copies to an orthopedic vet to see if they can address the pain issue question more in-depth. If either would like to see Loco in person she will arrange an appointment for him - free of charge.

And he CAN stretch and extend his legs fully while laying down... he groaned w/pleasure last night while rolling around on his back and having me rub his belly. So, I think that is a very good sign, actually, because I was worried about his legs being "cramped up" constantly and chronically - but that doesn't seem to be the case.I am SO glad that I got a huge crate - he can stretch out fully (which is how he slept), and he seemed to be very comfortable. He is absolutely smitten w/his fleecy crate pad... he tried to take it w/him this morning when I let him out.

So, I am going to take it one day at a time and observe him closely to see how he does. Seeing "painful" pics and actually living w/a dog like this are two different situations entirely, IMO.I did a lot of crying and a lot of soul-searching last night, but I think if I managed to do "the right thing" for Mick I am going to be able to do what's best for this boy as well.

Right now, at THIS moment, he seems to be happy and content... and that's all I ask for on his behalf.

Glad to hear the first night went so well. I bet he's feeling like he hit the doggie lottery, landing in your house! I agree that you need to take it one day at a time. I trust you to make the right choices and support you fully. If there's anything I can provide, just let me know and I'll send it along. When I saw him, I immediately started calling him "Twister" in my head.

When I worked at the vet a client brought in a stray four month old GSD puppy she'd found who's hips were so bad one wasn't even in the socket. The vet thought he would MAYBE make it to a year before he would have to be put down because of pain/mobility issues. The client had small children and thought it would be too hard on them and chose to have him PTS. I convinced her to let me take him home as a compassion case. I fully intended to spoil him rotten in the time I had him. He was a GREAT dog. We did a salvage operation on one hip and I purposely stunted his growth to keep him small and I was lucky enough to get twelve years with him. The vets have no idea how he managed but I fully believe he was a happy pup up until the last week or so. Petie's condition was no where close to how bad this guy is, but I think he really deserves some happy time. We all know what the ending of this story is going to be, it's really just a matter of when.

*hugs*

~Jeanine

You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

BigDogBuford wrote: When I saw him, I immediately started calling him "Twister" in my head.

Twister... I was thinking of "Pretzel" the minute I saw him walk up the ramp to the vets office...

My vet is one of those very-down-to-earth, matter-of-fact people... she doesn't sugar-coat anything to make anyone "feel better", and I really like that about her.Surgeries are out of the question, because that would definitely be cruel... the trauma and recovery time alone would probably be longer than the time this boy has left in the first place, and she made that very clear to me right from the start.He also needs to stay on the skinny-to-lean side to avoid any further stress to his joints, and I'll have to watch myself (and him) w/that one - this boy has a HEALTHY appetite.

Yes, it's just a matter of time... but if he doesn't dwell on that neither will I.

There is no problem with "One day at a time" That's been our motto with Trouble for close to two years.It's amazing what TLC can produce, we're in your corner Christene and will include you and 'Twister' in our thoughts daily.